Brussels, 10/07/2009 (Agence Europe) - The Major Economies Forum on energy and climate (G8 + Australia, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, South Africa and South Korea) acknowledged during their meeting in L'Aquila that it was necessary to contain the average rise in temperature on the surface of the planet below 2°C compared to pre-industrial levels. The Forum, however, did not take on board the objective of cutting global greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2050, as recommended by the G8 (EUROPE 9939). Emerging countries consider such an objective is unrealistic unless the most industrialised countries of the planet, which are alone responsible for 40% of global emissions, have reduction targets for 2020. European Commission President José Manuel Barroso, like the president of the European Council, Fredrik Reinfeldt, nonetheless welcomed as a “breakthrough” the convergence of views reached between the G8 and the Forum on the 2° target recommended by scientists. “Encouraged” by this result, Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen, who is to host the climate conference in Copenhagen in December, added: “But it is not enough”. (A.N./transl.jl)